โExcelsior Buzzโ is a recurring column on changes, tidbits and other news from the Excelsior. Got news? Send us tips at xueer@missionlocal.com.
Jerry Day โ generally considered the biggest annual event in the Excelsior โ is almost upon us.
On Aug. 1, for the 24th year in a row, Deadheads young and old will converge on the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater at McLaren Park.
A series of free concerts will celebrate Excelsior native Jerry Garcia, who grew up on Harrington Street near Alemany Boulevard and co-founded the Grateful Dead. Garcia died in 1995.ย
This year’s lineup includes Melvin Seals & JGB, led by Hammond B-3 organist Melvin Seals, who played with the Dead for 15 years and continues to tour and perform the bandโs songs. Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, a Bay Area Grateful Dead tribute band, will also play.
The celebration this year will be followed by afterparties across the city. Ifย thatโs not enough Garcia for you, Forever Grateful is currently hosting several events and a Dead exhibit,ย but youโll have to travel all the way to the Haight.
This Saturday, July 11, San Francisco is holding a citywide day of service called One City Day, a volunteer initiative led by Mayor Daniel Lurie and First Lady Becca Prowda inviting residents to beautify their neighborhoods.ย
In the Excelsior, the main event is a cleanup centered around Mission Street and Jerry Garcia Street (formerly Harrington Street.) The cleanup runs from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
As for what to bring: Dress in layers, wear closed-toe shoes, pack sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. Participants can pick up gloves, tools and bags at the Recovery Room at 4528 Mission St. near Jerry Garcia Street.
You can sign up for the cleanup here and see a few more Excelsior-based volunteer opportunities on this map.
San Francisco’s gloomy, foggy and not-so-hot summer is here. Where can kids in the Excelsior and District 11 go to have fun?
Laura Padilla, the executive director at the Excelsior Action Group, a local organization supporting small businesses and community projects, shared a list:
- Youth Art Exchange Summer Camp: This art camp is for rising third- to fifth-graders. It offers scholarships for San Francisco Unified School District students. The last two sessions available for signup are:
- Build your own planet week: from July 13- 17 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Magic of storytelling week: from July 20- 24 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Excelsior Boys & Girls Club: The Excelsior clubhouseโs summer hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Itโs located at 163 London St.ย
- Mission YMCA of San Francisco offers camps hosted at Monroe Elementary, Sunnyside Elementary, and Dolores Huerta Elementary.
- Youth 1st Camp, an after-school program, offers summer programs during the week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 5 p.m.
- San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department also offers summer programs at locations including the Excelsior Playground Clubhouse and Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center. You can check out this year’s catalogue here.
- Take a look at other events and programs at the Excelsior Branch Library and Ocean View Branch Library.
More summer camp resources can be found here.
